Key 17 - The Humanitarian
Traditional Title: The Star
Aquarius
The Humanitarian archetype develops new paradigms to achieve its aspirations.
Affirmation: I envision a future of hope, guided by higher ideals.
UPRIGHT: Faith, Inspiration, Healing, Serenity, Revitalization
REVERSE: Despondent, Hopelessness, Lack of Inspiration, Disenchantment, Despair
DESCRIPTION
A naked woman kneels over a pool and she’s pouring out water from two vessels. One of them is poured into the pool, while the other is poured onto the land. This suggests individual consciousness versus collective consciousness. Although poured from separate vessels, the stream on land runs back to the pond. Her right foot is just above the water, while her left leg is supported by solid Earth. The Star is resting most of her weight on the physical Earth for balance. Images of nakedness are symbolic of the naked truth, which is stripped of our projections. True reality is now laid bare and revealed to us; there’s no more obscurity. The water being poured out of the vessels represents how we use our consciousness. The two vessels represent the two ways that we can direct the flow of consciousness, either towards the inner which is pouring the water into the pool or towards the outer which is pouring it onto the land. We can direct our attention towards spirit or towards the physical world. The water coming from the vessel that pours into the pool symbolizes what happens when we meditate. When we consciously connect with the universal mind which this pool represents, it elicits a response from the source, and we can see this response through the ripples on the pond.
The night sky is lit by eight 8-pointed stars. There is a large central star, which hovers right above her head, and seven other smaller stars, which signify the seven ancient planets, that share in this cosmic energy. It is through practices like breathwork, visualization, and meditation that helps us to connect with this radiant cosmic energy that also flows inside of us. The large yellow central star is radiating cosmic energy. The essential power behind this energy that’s transmitted to us from the stars originates in the source or in the spirit. Our link to connecting back to spirit involves connecting to the galaxy and the stars, which are the transmitters of this light. In the background, the image of the tree refers to the Tree of Life from Kabbalah. The branches and trunk of this tree are also said to symbolize the brain and the spinal column. The red bird who is perched upon the tree, or ibis, is the “bird of Thoth.” The bird represents the ascension of our soul to the supernal realm at the top of the Tree of Life. The mountain represents the journey of inner attainment, or the great work. This is something that we’re all climbing together, and the route that we travel is the path to liberation. When the Star archetype is embodied, there is fame and recognition. They possess a natural charisma and a magnetism that draws people and opportunities towards them. They’re natural visionaries who are also in touch with their intuition and feelings.
SYMBOLS
Naked Woman Kneeling by the Pool: The woman represents Venus (Netzach) and her pool symbolizes the Moon (Yesod). This is in reference to the Star’s path.
Vessels of Water: The two vessels represent the two ways that we can direct the flow of consciousness.
Eight-pointed Stars: The number eight relates to the infinity sign. The 8 stars represent infinite possibilities for creation.
Tree: Tree of Life
Red Bird: The bird of Thoth represents the ascension of our soul to the supernal realm at the top of the Tree of Life.
Platonic level (Metaphysical Principles):
Aquarius is diurnal, fixed air, and ruled by Saturn. The nature is hot and moist. Aquarius, which represents the principle of innovation and freedom, is community-oriented and socially aware, often having a humanitarian vision for the future, while also paradoxically highly independent in nature.
Jungian level (Psychological Principles):
Positives
- Outgoing and idealistic.
- Encourages group participation and the exchange of ideas.
- Embraces abstract concepts and ideals with unwavering determination.
- An unconventional approach to life.
- Deliberately sets oneself apart from traditional viewpoints.
- A tendency toward the more theoretical rather than practical.
Negatives
- Aloofness.
- Fixed beliefs and reluctant to compromise.
Mythic level (Mythic Deities and Figures):
Greek God: Prometheus
Prometheus, the Titan who defied the gods to bring fire to humanity, governs the realms of rebellion, innovation, and the advancement of knowledge. His nature is one of selflessness and the pursuit of progress for the greater good. These qualities resonate with The Humanitarian archetype, which emphasizes the importance of innovation, freedom, and the pursuit of a better future for all.